Joan Deskin

Joan Deskin (1928-2016), of Midlothian, VA, formerly of New York City, East Meadow, NY and Scottsdale, AZ. Born 9/5/28 in The Bronx, NY, she was the daughter of Helene Glaser Sarrow and David Sarrow. She studied at New York University and worked for many years as a bookkeeper in various NYC area businesses including Perillo Brothers, a home heating oil concern in Farmingdale, NY, and Max Factors, a finance firm in Great Neck, NY. She was, until the end, a tough Bronx chick, one of the kindest, sweetest, funniest, sharpest, non-judgmental and progressive thinkers you'd ever meet. She had a real knack for turning the pain in her own life into a gift for listening to and counseling others. Among her many achievements, during the 70s and 80s she was the accountant at the Zoli agency, one of the top NYC model agencies of that era, where she rubbed elbows with the scenesters of the day from Andy Warhol to Iman to Warren Beatty at places like Studio 54, Area and the Palladium. When the AIDS crisis hit, she watched many dear friends and colleagues fade away, always taking steps to make them feel loved, making sure they got paid and got their insurance benefits and never letting them feel shunned or less than human.

Following her retirement, she moved to Scottsdale, AZ where she spent 14 years with her late husband Sam, before relocating to the Richmond area. She was an avid reader of books, newspapers and magazines, always keeping current on world events and pop culture and a lover of her native New York City. A great listener, she provided comfort and advice to many people in her life. She was a woman of great grace, wit, curiosity and compassion and will be missed by all. In addition to her late husband Sam who passed way in 2005, she was predeceased by her sister Hedy Sarrow Fein in 2003. She is survived by her sons Howard, Adam and Eric Deskin, daughter-in-law Kelly Deskin and grandchildren Katie Deskin Winston (husband Bryce Winston) and Emily Deskin. Donations on her behalf may be made to Susan G. Komen of Central Virginia, or any local affiliate.